Yes, another snowmobile to add to the collection.
This time it's a 73 Puma in really nice shape. This one was bought
without an engine and has a 71 Big Mouth style hood instead of the correct
73 style hood. The seat is also in real good shape with only a couple
of small tears. 1973 was the last year for the first generation of
Pumas. The name would not be used for the next 21 years until 1994.

10/26/99I now have the correct 440 engine for it courtesy
of a 73 Panther parts sled I picked up at Haydays but haven't installed
it yet.

02/14/2000I've now found the correct engine mounting plate and
associated brackets to go with it but have still not installed the engine.
Still no hood for this sled. I've run across a couple of the correct
hoods in a salvage yard but unfortunately they were in very poor condition
and were not useable. My current plan is to try and turn a 72 Cheetah/Puma
hood into a 73 if possible since it is easier to find one of these hoods
in good salvageable shape.

The engine and my 73 Panther parts donor sled.
The engine and ski spindles will be used on the Puma and the ski's will
be used to replace the ones currently on the Cheetah. As far as the
rest of the sled, I haven't decided what to do with it yet. There
is a new Vintage Sled racing circuit starting up this year here in Minnesota
so I may turn it into a racing sled.

And now for some shots of the Puma as bought with the
71 style hood on it...

And a shot in storage with the hood removed.
In the background is my 72 440 Puma.